‘Galactica’ spinoff to bow on Machinima

Distrib pact signals Hollywood's interest in tapping huge online aud

Universal Cable Prods. is tapping the muscle of the Machinima to draw viewers to its “Battlestar Galactica” Web prequel “Blood and Chrome.”

The 10-episode series will bow Friday on Machinima’s YouTube channel, Machinima Prime. The segs, running 7-12 minutes, will be exclusive to Machinima through February, and will eventually air as a two-hour telepic on Syfy.

The unusual distribution pact is evidence that traditional Hollywood is paying attention to the eye-popping user numbers that vidgame-centric Machinima is drawing through its YouTube outlet and other branded channels.

“We are thrilled to see this hotly-anticipated event premiere on Machinima, an online network that is unparalleled in its delivery of high-class digital content to millions of viewers,” said Syfy original content prexy Mark Stern.

“Blood and Chrome” will also be distribbed downstream in an “unrated” edition as PPV, VOD and digital download offering, as well as a physical Blu-ray and DVD release. NBCUniversal is hoping the initial exposure on Machinima will pay off by bringing new viewers into the “Galactica” tent and drive ratings for Syfy, which carried the reboot of the 1970s series from 2004-09.

“Blood and Chrome” is exec produced by “Battlestar” vets David Eick and Michael Taylor and directed by Jonas Pate. Taylor wrote episodes from a story by Eick, Bradley Thompson and David Weddle.